Should pastors hold each other accountable?

[RustyCarr]

Should pastors of different denominations, but in the same town, hold each other accountable to the Truth?

Have you seen this video? http://worldviewtimes.com/article.php/a ... nnon-Howse

Are there friends of Jeremiah Wright in his proffession who can straighten up his theology? OR, ARE THERE PASTORS IN OUR CHURCHES WHO TEACH THE TRUTH ABOUT THE DANGERS OF JEREMIAH WRIGHT'S WORSHIP OF GOVERNMENT? J.W. asks, "Why are there homeless people?" He decries the weakness of our capitalistic FREE society, but fails to mention that the church is put on earth to educate people in Truth, wisdom, and love in order that they may "feed themselves for a lifetime." J.W. wants the government to punish the ungodly rich and "greedy." Perhaps they do have it coming, but the Truth can change the rich and greedy in the moneyed class and the Truth can change the ignorant in government and education, Lk 18:27.

We need a fierce debate led by America's men of God who know the Truth and can teach it to America's fathers and mothers. The "masses" have been getting a mixed up message and have simply turned from any desire to find out the Truth about love because it is too controversial and 'impossible to understand." Who do you believe? J.W. or Binny Hinn or Pat Robertson or Jerry Fallwell or Dr. D. James Kennedy or Joel Osteen or Rick Warren or Rev. Jesse Jackson..... Where is the Truth in that gang of preachers?

Please comment on this thread. Let me know if anyone can debunk the nonsense that has divided the church and sent it into hiding and complacency. How do we teach the fact that the Truth about love and righteousness will "feed you for a lifetime" and provide wholesome friendly neighborhoods for our posterity?

If the leaders in Christianity can't agree on the simple Truth of God, how are fathers and mothers to compete with all the nonsense bombarding and oppressing them and their children? The "teachers of the law" must get their heads on straight because the "students" learn from them, not the other way around.

If you are a preacher, I want to help. I challenge you to discuss this post with me. Let's put aside "Peace on this house" and have a vigorous discussion.

Here is a seed of complacency. Today, I heard a preacher on Christian radio say, "This world is not our home." So far, I have awakened every day of my life in "this world." "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." If we are not about bringing the Truth to the earth, then I bet your life that you may be quite disappointed when you go "home," wherever that is when you die.

[JTownsend]

Rusty,
I'm all for unity in the body. I realize that some division is necessary, like how Martin Luther divided from the Catholic church because the Pope was selling indulgences and church offices. We must be willing to divide on sin.

At the same time, Churches are now like convenience stores in America - don't worry if you pass the first one, there will be another before too long. What bothers me is that each convenience church seems to operate as though under a different owner... when really we're all a part of the same chain. Each church seems to operate as though they are the only church in their area. There is some lip service given, sure, but is there unity? Don't even think about it.

[Be Not Afraid]

JTownsend said:

I'm all for unity in the body. I realize that some division is necessary, like how Martin Luther divided from the Catholic church because the Pope was selling indulgences and church offices. We must be willing to divide on sin. At the same time, Churches are now like convenience stores in America - don't worry if you pass the first one, there will be another before too long. What bothers me is that each convenience church seems to operate as though under a different owner... when really we're all a part of the same chain. Each church seems to operate as though they are the only church in their area. There is some lip service given, sure, but is there unity? Don't even think about it.

Jesus Christ established One Church not many different sects. But disunity and heresy is nothing new. It's been the case since the first century as we can read in the acts of the Apostles:

"Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth." (Acts 15:24-25).

But St. Augustine also wrote about the disunity among Christian sects and their false teachings in the 4th century:

"There are many other things which most properly can keep me in [the Catholic Church’s] bosom. The unanimity of peoples and nations keeps me here. Her authority, inaugurated in miracles, nourished by hope, augmented by love, and confirmed by her age, keeps me here. The succession of priests, from the very see of the apostle Peter, to whom the Lord, after his resurrection, gave the charge of feeding his sheep (John 21:15–17), up to the present episcopate, keeps me here. And last, the very name Catholic, which, not without reason, belongs to this Church alone, in the face of so many heretics, so much so that, although all heretics want to be called ‘Catholic,’ when a stranger inquires where the Catholic Church meets, none of the heretics would dare to point out his own basilica or house" (Against the Letter of Mani Called "The Foundation" 4:5 [A.D. 397]).

[RustyCarr]

Jesus Christ established One Church not many different sects. But disunity and heresy is nothing new. It's been the case since the first century as we can read in the acts of the Apostles:

But St. Augustine also wrote about the disunity among Christian sects and their false teachings in the 4th century:

I really admire your devotion to the Catholic Church. May God bless you as you seek the Truth among fellow Catholics.

I am not a Catholic, but I had great influence from a priest growing up. He was a kind man who opened his door to the youth of the small town I lived in. It was his goal to build up the adolescents, expand our experiences, and build confidence in what we could accomplish. He was a blessing...

I doubt that a revival in the Christian world would bring people straight back to the Catholic Church, but the Truth can reside in the hearts of men/women, even of different denominations. Therefore we need a revival of Truth. The simple Truth of God's two greatest commandments. If we love God and His Truth, we will obey His Truth, teach His Truth, and be a blessing to one another.

Unfortunately, the enemy, deception, has hidden the Truth from most people claiming to be Christians. The other enemy, pride, comes along to stubbornly cling to error (deception). Even to the point of making people hate a correction from the Truth. I guess that is why few people find it, Mt 7:14... Find what? Find the kingdom of heaven/God. Instead of knowing the Truth, John 8:31,32, too many Christians create their own version of the kingdom of God within them, Lk 17:21NIV.

Here today, we need people who can teach the simple Truth and and hold one another to the Truth, even pastors and priests in different denominations. If we do not humble ourselves to the Truth, I will say that we are certainly heading toward a painful humbling at the hand of an angry God.

Thanks for posting on this thread. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness... The Truth will set you free....
Rusty

[JTownsend]

Rusty,
I think you really hit the mark with this statement:

Here today, we need people who can teach the simple Truth and and hold one another to the Truth,

Often I see division has happened because we argue about the complicated things, like baptism at birth or at belief. Sure the answer is important, but not more so than that Christ is King.

I feel grief that believers don't get along as we should. And I would point out that it usually because our hearts are hard, and not because we are dividing on a core theological issue. I know I have been guilty of it before, and I pray that God will forgive me and rid me of the curse of division.

This is one reason why I enjoy Ms. BNA on the site. As a staunch Catholic supporter she shares her views as taught by the Catholic church. Whether I agree with her views matters little compared to respecting her, knowing her goal is to honor God. John 21:22 applies well, along with Romans 14:4. In John Peter is asking Jesus about John and Jesus replied "What's that to you?". Too often we gent bent out of shape because of what someone else does or what someone else believes. If they are not in obvious sin, then let it be and mind your own business.

[RustyCarr]

Hi JTownsend, Thanks for your good words, and this: "Often I see division has happened because we argue about the complicated things." True.

I say there is also a spirit in the church causing people to to make simple things complicated. This, of course, opens the door to confusion, deceptions, and disunity all the way through the church. Often times, those earnestly seeking the Truth in modern churches are steered straight into nonsense, fluffy-fog, and diversions, Mt 23:13-15NIV. Some leave the church (and Christianity) because they simply see through the nonsense and hypocrisy.

Then there is the guy who knows the Truth, but can't find friends of the same mind. He grates against the prideful, provokes their fears, draws accusations, and becomes a specticle. Christianity is about loving and understanding the Truth, renewing the mind and getting over the "self." I find myself amused (and disheartened) when applying this simple Truth, Mt 5:6NIV, to mainstream churchmen.
If we are hungering and thirsting for righteousness and Truth, why are so many Christians offended by the Truth when it is spoken to them by a common man like me? I guess I am not part of their "clique." Love God first, and He will teach you HOW TO LOVE FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS...courageously in theTruth.

From my vantage point, the conundrum is; "the first born of many brothers and sisters" (Ro 8:29NIV) runs into complete opposition because everyone already believes that they are Christians, even while the only time they pick up a Bible is to carry it to church, when they go. Seems similar to what happened to the descendents of Abraham. Fathers have even given their role to teach over to the government... What a mess that has been created... Too many generations left behind, Ex 20:5,6

Too often we get bent out of shape because of what someone else does or what someone else believes. If they are not in obvious sin, then let it be and mind your own business.

If we could bring back a message of love the Truth, (Jn 14:15NIV) then perhaps people can truly seek it and boldly walk in it, taking up their cross and doing the role that God has given them.

The ignorant don't know the Truth. Perhaps they need descipling.
The lost unrepentent don't love the Truth. It is they who we seek to convert, but it is also they who are seeking to destroy the Truth, Ps 2:1-12NIV.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. "Oh God, can we start with our families and our churches? Help us to reach them, to know that you are real and very present, standing at the door and knocking..."

[Aduro]

Jesus Christ established One Church not many different sects. But disunity and heresy is nothing new. It's been the case since the first century as we can read in the acts of the Apostles:

The problem with your statement is that you suggest that the Roman Catholic Church is and always has been the one true Church. And that Jesus Himself rides at the front of it and therefore it must be an inerrant beacon of truth. There was another topic with yet another Catholic that said that the RCC has pretty much been "correct" throughout the ages, despite some tough spots. Hahaha.

I'm also not interested on arguing this, because you can never prove it without questionable quotes or stretching verses beyond their logical meaning. I disagree, although I can respect your belief.

... (Acts 15:24-25).

This is an example of false teachers causing disunity, but no suggestion of a united RCC and a verification of all of its teachings.

But St. Augustine also wrote about the disunity among Christian sects and their false teachings in the 4th century:

... (Against the Letter of Mani Called "The Foundation" 4:5 [A.D. 397]).

Bless Augustine, he certainly had some good about him. Is what he says inerrant? No, and what about his time? The Roman Catholic church seemed like a great thing to him, because of the time and place affording it the distinction and power he came to hold.

I'm all for unity in the body. I realize that some division is necessary, like how Martin Luther divided from the Catholic church because the Pope was selling indulgences and church offices. We must be willing to divide on sin.

I think the problem is that the culture has largely forgotten how to be Christian. They no longer have the foundation necessary to accurately understand Jesus' message, and came nowhere close to living a Christian life. This shouldn't be seen as unnatural, but as the logical conclusion of a godless culture. The only way for anyone to be free and live a Christian life is to recognize the diseased and separate themselves. Otherwise, you will continually be pulled in their direction - there's no fighting it. Sin consumes as many people as it can, and demands everyone recognize it as more valuable than the freedom-giving truth.

I don't agree with the RCC, but I can appreciate what it did for the first few centuries. However, we live in a different time now, and it is no longer necessary, especially with the truth widely known. RC tradition is one thing, but the truth of Scripture is another thing entirely. And I always say "Roman Catholic Church" or "Roman Catholic," because catholic refers to the universal body of the Church. So if you say "the Catholic Church" is wrong, then you are seriously undermining yourself, if only through unintended semantics.